The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-06


snow and ice commence to melt, the increased
volume of water forces channels across the
bends. These are called cut-offs BIZ the trap
pers and guides who frequent this section, and
are carefully noted for use during the trapping
and hunting season, they often save miles OF
hard pushing against the current In the sum-
mer and fall the entrance to most of them areso
grown UP with tall grasses and flags that per-
sons unacquanted with their location would not
be able to find them. while many become choked
with drift-wood and fallen timber. until another
rise in the water opens them to view.
One of the chief characteristics of the Kan
kakee, however, is it's Numerous bayous, some
OF which are ten to fifteen feet deep, and
covered with myriads of water lilies, whose long
stems and broad leaves, resting fiat on the water.
make an almost impenetrable barrier to
even the light, shallow boat of the hunter.
Many are grown up with peculiar kind
of water moss, which bears a miniature
reddish brown flower that floats on the surface,
giving the water the appearance at little dis
tance. of being covered with sort OF scum.
Some of the bayous are the outlets for cut-offs,
and ALL no doubt, from their depth and extent,
were at one time parts Of the main channel of
the river. A noticeable feature is thar the water
seldom becomes stagnant or offensive. notwith
matter with which they are surrounded; but this
fact can probably be attributed to the slight cur
rent which passes through them indicating their
connection with the river, or that the water
from the marshes here finds outlet for itself
A pleasant source of study to the lover of ma
aure is the strip Of woods bordering each side of
che river, and
sLong about September when the leaves are colorin
Eome turnin yaler and some red as wne,"
oh 70 ako tho 1oaf- oafh rip0 itry
maiden wish they were within every day reach
The varieties of trees noticed most particularly
are the quaking ash, jack oak. swamp birch,
willow and water elm, with thick underground
of elbow bush or swamp knees, the latter max
ing a succession Of traps and pitfalls for the
hunter by reason of the intervening space be,
tween them being quite frequently covered with
syacies of moss which hides the holes from
view. This is the summer home of the dainty
woodcock, her breeding and feeding ground and
where she well knows she is safe from the aim of
the sportsman. however quick snap shot he
may be. In the neiehborhood of Baums bridge,
ground is quite high. At these two places there
Is good quality of timber, principally oak and
beech. of large and dense growth.
The many varieties of grasses flowers, ferns
aud even weeds, found along the river and in the
marshes are also source Of delight to the bot
anist, but the that will attract his attention
most Ia the wild rice, which here grows in pro-
fusion. great deal of it is found near English
it is wanting. Between the latter place and
Momence. H.. however, the margin of the water
for miles at time is frnged with great beds
of it. which, in autumn, when the straw is pale
yellow color. makes pretty contrast to the
never-ending sameness of the woods. It is gen
orally supposed that wild rice, which bears ar
elongated seed enclosed in husk like the oat
forms a large part of the food of the wild duck
but this, to a certain extent, is a deluson. The
growing straw may have something to do In at
tracing them to q marsh, or they NAV eat thu
young sprouts as they break from the kernel
but the average duck homes for something tina
requires less work in securing or will yield ,
larger return for her outlay of time Some Of
the rice stalks, in favored localities grow to tn
length of twelve or fourteen feet, and severa
measured by the reporter were over an inch il
diameter at the base. The head of the stem i
branched like the common wild grass and tn
seeds, as they ripen. become detached from thes
branches and fail into the water. Their weigh
carries them to the bottom, and their peculla
shape affords them sure foothold in the mud
where. If the water is not too deep, they 500
terminate and send to the surface their tin
blades 70 be nursed and strengthened in tn
sunshine
Here and there along the river, where it run
through treeless section OF marsh, can be see
vast fields of Spanish needles. which present
pretty sight with their yellow blossoms, but ar
q terror to the hunter and his dogs later in tn
season. In many of the marshes or submerge
praries will be found a plant called 'splatte
dock" by the native hunters and trappers. II
leaves are long and pointed like the common ",
riety of dock, but the stem which bears the see
is from one to four feet long, and terminates q
the top with large pod filled with seeds closel
resembling green peas in color and about th
size of chestnut The weight of the DO
causes the stem TO topple over into the waite
where they lay until picked open by the will
fowls and possibly by some of the smaller an
mails. The pods contain between ten and twent
seeds, encysted in glutinous substance and al
Of pleasant, puneens taste greatly relished b
some varieties of ducks. The favorite food {
the mal,ard is the acorn and in wet seasons {
whenever there is plenty of water to cover I'll
slight ridges where oak trees abound, this due
Ian there be found in countless numbers
This region is the home of the summer-duc
wood-duck, ms they commonly call ed J ii
andy Of her species. Here, in the seclusion